++Two!!!++

I spent the day thinking back to what I was doing two years ago at that time. I wonder how many years this will continue for. I still can't believe that helpless little being we brought home from the hospital has rapidly turned into this independent kid who keeps us laughing all day.

At two, here's a little about Wyatt:

--He has entered the world of pretend. Most often he pretends to be a puma (with a very realistic roar) as he hides and emerges from the neighbors willow tree.

--I overheard him asking his lovey questions the other day. The conversation went like this "Lovey, do you like pumpkins?" he then made lovey nod and say "yes, yes, yes" So funny.

--He'll often turn to me if I sit down by him on the couch and say "Hi Mommy". It warms my heart.

--Daddy is no longer Daddy. He is now "Daddy-o".

--He has made great strides in his speech clarity recently. We almost understand most of what he says and a majority of his words are spoken accurately.

--He likes to tell us what a "nice day" it is. He informed our neighbor of this the other night when she walked by.

--He is quite the little singer. His favorite song is "Go tell it on the mountain" closely followed by "You are my sunshine" and "Wheels on the bus". It's a good thing I'm a stay at home mom and not missing out on anything...because I discovered via his Grandma that he can sing the alphabet song, and also overheard him sing his own version of "Twinkle twinkle little star". He must be singing these at school. I'm all over it now and we work on these at home.

--He'll eagerly go potty on his potty chair (and even asks to) for one tiny piece of candy. The diapers aren't dry in between though so we have a ways to go.

--He has inherited his mother's steel trap memory...much to his father's dismay. The other day we drove by a restaurant and he told me that he ate there with mommy and daddy and that he had macaroni and cheese and two spoons (because he dropped one).

--He's still a champion sleeper. Eleven hours at night and two and a half at nap time. The best part: he usually goes down without an effort or a fight on our part.

--Being his mom gets better and better every day.

We had quite the birthday weekend. I'll post a recap complete with all the photos soon!

++A thousand words++

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Other pictures might take a thousand words to explain. Not sure which one applies to this actual scene witnessed in our house this week:

A few words of explanation. Wyatt found the case of poker chips and I thought it would be a great distraction while I got his stuff ready for school. He was already shirtless due to the need to remove his shirt to apply his lotions and other pretend beauty products while I was getting ready (note: I do not get ready shirtless so I am not sure where this came from). After a few minutes of playing with the chips and dice, he comes running into the kitchen to request his hat (??????) For some reason he enjoyed rubbing the dice on his face. Seriously...where does this come from? Mark's comment is "he gets it from his mother." Ha ha.

We also have had fun with paints and play-doh recently. For the most part we are blessed (and partially cursed) with a child that does not really like to get messy. He likes ketchup wiped off his fingers, etc. Funny how I looked away while he was painting and returned to this:

I took a few breaths and allowed it to continue...reminding myself that the point of this whole exercise was for him to learn by experimentation. Thank goodness it all washed off...

We're really enjoying the "cool" weather of September. Most days are in the 80s. So far the forecast for his party next weekend is 80 and sunny. Let's hope that holds!

++Wanderlust++

Mark has wanderlust. He would take a road trip every weekend if we could. It wasn't quite so bad when we lived in Minnesota, perhaps that says something about life in Memphis. Last weekend we headed to Nashville. Neither one of us knew how far away it was but Mark said "about two hours" so I took his word. For the record...it's closer to three...and a half. Wyatt was a champ at everything but sleeping in the hotel (glad we made sure to get a suite when he didn't end up going to bed until we did anyway).

We started at the Adventure Science Center. It's mainly geared for big kids but it did slow my little one down, and his father fit right in!

Let's hope this is the most time he spends in the back of an ambulance...ever!

He climbed all the way up this thing by himself. His dad met him at the top and gave him a lesson on the finer points of spinal devices.

I waited at the bottom for them to come down this slide...it was like a swirly straw that was three stories high. Everyone, of all ages, came out giggling.

Next, we went to visit Opryland and the big mall that they have there. For some reason, Wyatt is always asking to go to the mall. The funny part is that we hardly go to malls because we don't have any close to our house here (I know, the horror) and he doesn't last very long for shopping so I tend to go without him. We went to the closest thing to the MOA that I have seen in a while. We ate at this tourist trap restaurant called The Aquarium. It was worth every over-priced penny. Wyatt loved the fish...and ate all his "rararoni and cheese" (which he ordered himself from the waiter).

They also have a Merry-go-round which is Wyatt's latest thing...after refusing to ride one for over a year. Too bad that neither one of his parents is all that keen about riding as the "holder".

The next day it was time for the main event that brought us to Nashville to begin with...A Day Out With Thomas. This was like Sturgis for the under-five crowd.

There was train-table play (when it's this serious, the hat goes backwards).

The real-live Thomas engine that pulled our train.

Finally, the super-exciting 5mph ride on a train. Wyatt made the Conductor lady say "All Aboard" to him and spend the rest of the trip wondering "where did "ductor" go?"

It was a really fun weekend. Our general analysis of the city: if you are considering a move to Tennessee...choose Nashville. There didn't seem to be quite as much barbed wire as there is in Memphis.

++What? September?++

Where has the time gone? I've been busy living my life after my two month hiatus. It's nice to be back (just ask Mark). Hint to the wives out there: if you want your husband to really appreciate you, stop doing all the little things you usually do to keep your house running. I will give mark credit though, he did a great job filling in.
I had a nice time in Seattle. I'm waiting for my sister to send me a few photos to post. I didn't bring my camera since they recently bought the same one so I just took photos with theirs. Sweet Cora is my new buddy. I told her that I will buy her all the best dolls and be her favorite aunt. I think she liked to hear stuff like that. She only spit up on me twice and was kind enough to contain her blow-out poop to the inside of her outfit when I was holding her shortly before heading the the airport. I survived my travels fine. I was worried about spitting up (the adult variety) on my seat mates but no such luck for them. Wyatt was great for his grandparents. Makes you feel pretty good as a parent...and gives me a new feeling of freedom knowing that I can leave him whenever and everyone involved has fun.
This week I am busy planning Wyatt's birthday party. It will be a firetruck theme. I'll post again with the invite and the details. We don't have many kids to invite but those who know me well know that that won't help me keep things in check. I'm doing my best though...